to be influenced favourably to ensure a good outcome.
Its bad luck to let a fire go out on New Year's Eve.
You could ensure yourself good fortune by draining the last dregs from a bottle of drink on New Years!
To dance in the open air, especially round a tree, on New Year's Day is declared to ensure luck in love and prosperity and freedom from ill health during the coming twelve months.
On New Year's Day if, on rising, a girl should look out of her bedroom window and see a man passing by, she may reckon to be married before the year is finished.
Avoid crying on the first day of the year lest that activity set the tone for the next twelve months
Just as the clock strikes twelve the head of the house should open the door in order to allow the Old Year to pass out and the New Year to come in. The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight will influence the year you're about to have. This tradition is called First Footing. Ideally, he should be dark-haired, tall, and good-looking, and it would be even better if he came bearing certain small gifts such as a lump of coal, a silver coin, a bit of bread, a sprig of evergreen, and some salt.
The eating of black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will attract both general good luck and money in particular.
Do not do the laundry on New Year's Day, lest a member of the family be 'washed away' (die) in the upcoming months.
Wear something new on January 1 to increase the likelihood of your receiving more new garments during the year to follow.
Avoid crying on the first day of the year lest that activity set the tone for the next twelve months.
Make as much noise as possible at midnight. You're not just celebrating; you're scaring away evil spirits. (Church bells are rung on a couple's wedding day for the same reason.)
Babies born on this day will always have luck on their side.
Wish you all a Happy and prosperous New Year for 2007..
2007-01-01 04:30:45 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
A good collection Skycat. My Gran's fav: Burn the Christmas tree on New Year's day to burn away all the bad luck of the old year, and bring open the way for the new.
--That Cheeky Lad
2007-01-01 16:46:52 · answer #1 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you. You have provided a breath of fresh air in explaining how these traditions and rituals have come to be. I feel a wee bit more knowledgable as I start a new year.
Wishing you all the best
2007-01-01 04:43:47 · answer #2 · answered by D N 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thankyou for posting those - I wondered what the traditions behind alot of things were - now I know. A happy new year to you too xxxxxxx
2007-01-01 04:40:12 · answer #3 · answered by starlet108 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cool! I could try it the next NY. Happy New Year!
2007-01-01 05:09:12 · answer #4 · answered by Aurora 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cool, thanks for the info, and happy new year!
2007-01-01 04:36:42 · answer #5 · answered by bubu 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋